As winter approaches in Gaza, displaced Palestinians are turning to creative solutions to stay warm amid severe clothing shortages. In Khan Younis, a southern Gaza city, a group of volunteers led by 31-year-old Nidaa Attia is repurposing blankets into winter clothing to help shield their communities from the cold. Their initiative, “Needle and Thread,” was launched in September to provide affordable winter garments for those who cannot access or afford traditional clothing.
Attia and her team work in makeshift tents along the coast at Al-Mawasi, manually measuring, cutting, and sewing the clothes due to a lack of electricity. Their sole source of power comes from a bicycle rigged to a sewing machine, operated by pedal power. Despite the labor-intensive process, Attia is committed to the project, which she says is critical for families facing a second winter since the onset of conflict in Gaza.
“Winter is coming for the second time since the start of the war, and people are without any warm clothes,” said Attia, as she measured a child for a jumper. Standing nearby, a mother looked on, hoping the clothing would protect her young child from the harsh winter winds and rain.
With no fabrics available and few resources entering Gaza due to restrictions, Attia’s team devised the idea to repurpose thermal blankets into clothing. For those who bring their own blankets, the price of a custom item is reduced. Otherwise, the clothing ranges from 70 to 120 shekels (around $18-$30), which covers only basic material costs and a modest payment to some of the volunteers.
A Gazan winter can be particularly unforgiving, bringing heavy rains and flooding that exacerbate the already precarious living conditions for many. Last winter, flooding damaged several makeshift shelters. This year, with international aid at its lowest levels and many families out of work, the demand for basic necessities has sharply increased. Some residents have resorted to selling their personal belongings, including clothing, in an effort to afford essentials.
Samira Tamous, a mother displaced from Gaza City, now lives in Al-Mawasi in a temporary shelter with her 13-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome. She expressed gratitude for the clothing initiative, noting the scarcity of winter clothes in local markets. “We have been displaced for more than a year now. We lived through one winter and now another is coming,” said Tamous. “There are no winter clothes at all, not in the market and not to dress my daughter.”
For Gaza’s population of nearly two million, largely displaced by the ongoing conflict, initiatives like “Needle and Thread” offer vital support. The United Nations has reported a steep decline in international aid to Gaza this year, and a global hunger monitor recently warned of a potential famine in the region.
Despite overwhelming challenges, Attia and her volunteers remain dedicated to their work, creating clothes by hand to help those around them weather the winter. For Gaza’s displaced residents, these makeshift garments offer a small measure of warmth and resilience as they brace for another difficult season.
